Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993)

Core principles

The Declaration emphasizes that civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights are of equal importance and must be advanced without hierarchy. States that adopted the text pledged to promote the full realization of all human rights without discrimination. The document stresses that respect for human rights requires both legal recognition and effective remedies, and it links achievement of human rights to democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development.

Protection of vulnerable groups and specific concerns

Vienna singled out a broad array of concerns and populations requiring particular attention. It called for measures against discrimination on grounds such as race and ethnicity and urged states to combat xenophobia. The text also affirmed the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers and drew attention to the human rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. It condemned child abuse, child labour, exploitation of children in armed conflict, sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and it emphasized safeguards against inhuman uses of weapons and the effects of armed conflict.

Implementation, international cooperation and follow-up

To give effect to its commitments, the Vienna Declaration urged states to ratify and implement international human rights treaties, strengthen national legal systems, and establish effective remedies for violations. It called for international cooperation, technical assistance and human rights education at all levels to promote tolerance, social justice and the rule of law. The Declaration also recommended institutional measures such as national human rights institutions and practical steps for monitoring and reporting. One immediate outcome of the conference was the agreement to create the office of the High Commissioner, to provide a focal point in the United Nations system for human rights work.

Significance and legacy

Vienna remains a reference point for discussions about universality, the indivisibility of rights and the responsibilities of states. It influenced later regional and thematic instruments and reinforced the view that development, democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing. While the Declaration is not a treaty, its political weight has shaped advocacy, policy and institutional reforms both at the international and national levels.

Related instruments and topics

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• international human rights
• economic, social and cultural rights
• civil and political rights
• Declaration of Montreal
• Yogyakarta Principles
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• non-discrimination
• racism
• xenophobia
• immigration
• migrant workers
• indigenous peoples' rights
• minority rights
• tolerance
• rights of the child
• child abuse
• child labour
• child soldiers
• child prostitution
• child pornography
• human trafficking
• forced prostitution
• sexual slavery
• prohibition on inhuman weapons
• armed conflict and humanitarian concerns
• disability rights
• international human rights treaties
• democracy
• sustainable development
• terrorism
• illicit drug trade
• kidnapping
• right to political asylum
• Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
• Palestinian refugees and related issues
• human rights education
• humanitarian assistance
• peace
• rule of law
• social justice
• right to develop
• poverty and the poorest countries
• Africa and development concerns
• democracy promotion and development
• Geneva Conventions

The Vienna Declaration remains an important political text: it does not create new treaty obligations but clarifies state responsibilities and sets priorities for international cooperation. For further reading, consult the text of the Declaration and analyses produced by international organizations, national human rights institutions and academic commentators to understand how its principles have been interpreted, implemented and contested in the years since 1993.